Configuration of the Initial Active Bandwidth Part for Initial Network Access

ABSTRACT

Methods and devices for configuring an initial active downlink bandwidth part as part of an initial access procedure are provided. In one provided method, a base station broadcasts a synchronization signal block (SSB) that includes a control resource set CORESET) configuration index. The CORESET configuration index is one of a plurality of CORESET configuration indexes, each CORESET configuration index being associated with a respective configuration of a CORESET. Each configuration includes a CORESET frequency size, a CORESET time duration, and a frequency offset of the CORESET with respect to the SSB selected from a set of predefined frequency offsets. The initial active downlink bandwidth part is defined as having the same frequency location and bandwidth as the CORESET. The base station transmits, as part of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) within the CORESET, information indicating scheduling of remaining minimum system information (RMSI) in a physical downlink shared channel (POSCH).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/188,779, entitled “CONFIGURATION OF THE INITIAL ACTIVE BANDWIDTH PARTFOR INITIAL NETWORK ACCESS” filed Nov. 13, 2018, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/587,290 entitled“CONFIGURATION OF THE INITIAL ACTIVE BANDWIDTH PART FOR INITIAL NETWORKACCESS” filed Nov. 16, 2017, the applications of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications and,in particular, to configuration of an initial active bandwidth part forinitial access and associated methods and apparatus.

BACKGROUND

In wireless communication systems, an electronic device (ED), such as auser equipment (UE), wirelessly communicates with a Transmission andReceive Point (TRP), termed “base station”, to send data to the EDand/or receive data from the ED. A wireless communication from an ED toa base station is referred to as an uplink (UL) communication. Awireless communication from a base station to an ED is referred to as adownlink (DL) communication.

Resources are required to perform uplink and downlink communications.For example, an ED may wirelessly transmit data to a base station in anUL transmission at a particular frequency and during a particular timeslot. The frequency and time slot used is an example of a physicalcommunication resource.

An ED requires some minimum system information upon initial access inorder to synchronize and configure the ED for communication with thesystem. A portion of this system information may be provided by way ofperiodically broadcast synchronization signal blocks (SSBs). However,not all of the minimum system information can be provided in SSBs due tooverhead considerations.

SUMMARY

Because it is not practical to broadcast all of the minimum systeminformation in SSBs due to the overhead problem noted above, someremaining portion of the minimum system information, which may bereferred to as remaining minimum system information (RMSI) has to bescheduled using a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmittedin a control resource set (CORESET). However, the problem exists as tohow an ED, during initial access, locates the CORESET that includes aPDCCH that schedules a PDCSH, which includes the RMSI.

Aspects of this disclosure provide mechanisms to configure a CORESET forscheduling and delivering RMSI and to inform an ED of the CORESETconfiguration during initial access.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for a basestation in a wireless communication network. The method includesbroadcasting, as part of a SSB, a CORESET configuration index. TheCORESET configuration index is one of a plurality of CORESETconfiguration indexes, each CORESET configuration index being associatedwith a respective configuration of a CORESET. Each configurationincludes a CORESET frequency size, a CORESET time duration, and afrequency offset of the CORESET with respect to the SSB, the frequencyoffset selected from a set of predefined frequency offsets. The set ofpredefined frequency offsets may include one or more of: a firstfrequency offset wherein a frequency location of the CORESET issubstantially aligned with respect to a lowest frequency location of theSSB; a second frequency offset wherein the frequency location of theCORESET is substantially aligned with respect to a highest frequencylocation of the SSB; and a third frequency offset wherein the frequencylocation of the CORESET is substantially aligned with respect to acenter frequency location of the SSB.

In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure, afirst subset of the configurations define the CORESET as being timedivision multiplexed (TOM) with the SSB, and a second subset of theconfigurations define the CORESET as being frequency divisionmultiplexed (FOM) with the SSB.

In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure, forthe first subset of the configurations that define the CORESET as beingTOM with the SSB, the first frequency offset is such that the lowestphysical resource block (PRB) of the CORESET is the highest PRB amongthose whose subcarrier 0 lies on or before the subcarrier 0 of thelowest PRB of the SSB, the second frequency offset is such that thehighest PRB of the CORESET is the lowest PRB among those whosesubcarrier 0 lies on or after the subcarrier 0 of the highest PRB of theSSB, and the third frequency offset is such that a center PRB of theCORESET is the highest PRB among those whose subcarrier 0 lies on orbefore the subcarrier 0 of a center PRB of the SSB.

In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure, forthe second subset of the configurations that define the CORESET as beingFOM with the SSB, the first frequency offset is such that the highestPRB of the CORESET is separated from the lowest PRB of the SSB by aguard comprising at least G PRBs of a numerology of a remaining minimumsystem information (RMSI) transmission, where G is an integer ≥0, andthe second frequency offset is such that the lowest PRB of the CORESETis separated from the highest PRB of the SSB by a guard comprising atleast G PRBs of the numerology of the RMSI transmission, where G is aninteger ≥0.

In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure, avalue of the frequency offset is a number of physical resource blocks(PRBs) of a PRB grid of a numerology of a remaining minimum systeminformation (RMSI) transmission.

In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure, theCORESET configuration associated with the CORESET configuration index isbased on the subcarrier spacing of the CORESET.

In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure, theCORESET configuration associated with the CORESET configuration index isbased on the operating frequency range of the wireless communicationnetwork.

In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure, theCORESET configuration index is an index to a row in a first CORESETconfiguration sub-table, each row of the first CORESET configurationsub-table defining a respective one of a plurality of firstsub-configurations of the CORESET. In such embodiments, the method mayfurther include broadcasting, as part of the SSB, a second CORESETconfiguration index, the second CORESET configuration index being anindex to a row in a second CORESET configuration sub-table, each row ofthe second CORESET configuration sub-table defining a respective one ofa plurality of second sub-configurations of the CORESET, each secondsub-configuration comprising a time configuration of the CORESET.

A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a base station thatincludes a memory storage that includes instructions, and one or moreprocessors in communication with the memory storage, wherein the one ormore processor execute the instructions to implement a method accordingto the first aspect of the present disclosure or any one or more of theembodiments described above.

A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for anelectronic device in a wireless communication network. The methodincludes receiving, as part of a SSB, a CORESET configuration index. TheCORESET configuration index is one of a plurality of CORESETconfiguration indexes, each CORESET configuration index being associatedwith a respective configuration of a CORESET. Each configurationincludes a CORESET frequency size, a CORESET time duration, and afrequency offset of the CORESET with respect to the SSB, the frequencyoffset selected from a set of predefined frequency offsets. The set ofpredefined frequency offsets may include one or more of: a firstfrequency offset wherein a frequency location of the CORESET issubstantially aligned with respect to a lowest frequency location of theSSB; a second frequency offset wherein the frequency location of theCORESET is substantially aligned with respect to a highest frequencylocation of the SSB; and a third frequency offset wherein a frequencylocation of the CORESET is substantially aligned with respect to acenter frequency location of the SSB. The method further includesconfiguring, in accordance with the CORESET configuration associatedwith the CORESET configuration index, an initial active downlinkbandwidth part for receiving downlink transmissions from the wirelesscommunication network.

In some embodiments of the third aspect of the present disclosure, afirst subset of the configurations define the CORESET as being timedivision multiplexed (TOM) with the SSB, and a second subset of theconfigurations define the CORESET as being frequency divisionmultiplexed (FOM) with the SSB.

In some embodiments of the third aspect of the present disclosure, forthe first subset of the configurations that define the CORESET as beingTOM with the SSB, the first frequency offset is such that the lowestphysical resource block (PRB) of the CORESET is the highest PRB amongthose whose subcarrier 0 lies on or before the subcarrier 0 of thelowest PRB of the SSB, the second frequency offset is such that thehighest PRB of the CORESET is the lowest PRB among those whosesubcarrier 0 lies on or after the subcarrier 0 of the highest PRB of theSSB, and the third frequency offset is such that a center PRB of theCORESET is the highest PRB among those whose subcarrier 0 lies on orbefore the subcarrier 0 of a center PRB of the SSB.

In some embodiments of the third aspect of the present disclosure, forthe second subset of the configurations that define the CORESET as beingFOM with the SSB, the first frequency offset is such that the highestPRB of the CORESET is separated from the lowest PRB of the SSB by aguard comprising at least G PRBs of a numerology of a remaining minimumsystem information (RMSI) transmission, where G is an integer ≥0, andthe second frequency offset is such that the lowest PRB of the CORESETis separated from the highest PRB of the SSB by a guard comprising atleast G PRBs of the numerology of the RMSI transmission, where G is aninteger ≥0.

In some embodiments of the third aspect of the present disclosure, avalue of the frequency offset is a number of physical resource blocks(PRBs) of a PRB grid of a numerology of a remaining minimum systeminformation (RMSI) transmission.

In some embodiments of the third aspect of the present disclosure, theCORESET configuration associated with the CORESET configuration index isbased on the subcarrier spacing of the CORESET.

In some embodiments of the third aspect of the present disclosure, theCORESET configuration associated with the CORESET configuration index isbased on the operating frequency range of the wireless communicationnetwork.

In some embodiments of the third aspect of the present disclosure, theCORESET configuration index is an index to a row in a first CORESETconfiguration sub-table, each row of the first CORESET configurationsub-table defining a respective one of a plurality of firstsub-configurations of the CORESET. In such embodiments, the method mayfurther include receiving, as part of the SSB, information indicating asecond CORESET configuration index, the second CORESET configurationindex being an index to a row in a second CORESET configurationsub-table, each row of the second CORESET configuration sub-tabledefining a respective one of a plurality of second sub-configurations ofthe CORES ET, each second sub-configuration comprising a timeconfiguration of the CORESET.

A fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides an electronic devicethat includes a memory storage that includes instructions, and one ormore processors in communication with the memory storage, wherein theone or more processors execute the instructions to implement a methodaccording to the third aspect of the present disclosure or any one ormore of the embodiments described above.

Other aspects and features of embodiments of the present disclosure willbecome apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review ofthe following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in greaterdetail with reference to the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system.

FIG. 2 is a table depicting control resource set (CORESET)time-frequency configurations and associated indexes, frequencyconfiguration parameters and time configuration parameters in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a time-frequency diagram showing an example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is time divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially left-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a time-frequency diagram showing an example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is time divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially right-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3C is a time-frequency diagram showing a first example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is time divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially center-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3D is a time-frequency diagram showing a second example of aCORESET time-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is timedivision multiplexed with a SSB and is substantially center-aligned infrequency with the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4A is a time-frequency diagram showing another example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is time divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially left-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurewhere the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of SSB is smaller than the SCS ofCORESET and RMSI.

FIG. 4B is a time-frequency diagram showing an example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is time divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially right-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurewhere the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of SSB is smaller than the SCS ofCORESET and RMSI.

FIG. 4C is a time-frequency diagram showing a first example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is time divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially center-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurewhere the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of SSB is smaller than the SCS ofCORESET and RMSI.

FIG. 4D is a time-frequency diagram showing a second example of aCORESET time-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is timedivision multiplexed with a SSB and is substantially center-aligned infrequency with the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure where the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of SSB is smaller than theSCS of CORESET and RMSI.

FIG. 5A is a time-frequency diagram showing an example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is time divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially left-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurewhere the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of SSB is larger than the SCS ofCORESET and RMSI.

FIG. 5B is a time-frequency diagram showing an example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is time divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially right-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurewhere the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of SSB is larger than the SCS ofCORESET and RMSI.

FIG. 5C is a time-frequency diagram showing a first example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is time divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially center-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurewhere the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of SSB is larger than the SCS ofCORESET and RMSI.

FIG. 5D is a time-frequency diagram showing a second example of aCORESET time-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is timedivision multiplexed with a SSB and is substantially center-aligned infrequency with the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure where the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of SSB is larger than theSCS of CORESET and RMSI.

FIG. 6A is a time-frequency diagram showing a first example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequency divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially left-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6B is a time-frequency diagram showing a second example of aCORESET time-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequencydivision multiplexed with a SSB and is substantially left-aligned infrequency with the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6C is a time-frequency diagram showing a first example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequency divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially right-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6D is a time-frequency diagram showing a second example of aCORESET time-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequencydivision multiplexed with a SSB and is substantially right-aligned infrequency with the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6E is a time-frequency diagram showing an example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequency divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially center-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6F is a time-frequency diagram showing an example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequency divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially center-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurewhere upper and lower portions of the CORESET are offset in frequencyfrom the SSB by G physical resource blocks (PRBs), where G is an integer>1.

FIG. 7A is a time-frequency diagram showing a first example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequency divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially left-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurewhere the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of SSB is smaller than the SCS ofCORESET and RMSI.

FIG. 7B is a time-frequency diagram showing a second example of aCORESET time-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequencydivision multiplexed with a SSB and is substantially left-aligned infrequency with the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure where the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of SSB is smaller than theSCS of CORESET and RMSI.

FIG. 7C is a time-frequency diagram showing a first example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequency divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially right-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurewhere the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of SSB is smaller than the SCS ofCORESET and RMSI.

FIG. 7D is a time-frequency diagram showing a second example of aCORESET time-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequencydivision multiplexed with a SSB and is substantially right-aligned infrequency with the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure where the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of SSB is smaller than theSCS of CORESET and RMSI.

FIG. 7E is a time-frequency diagram showing an example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequency divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially center-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurewhere the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of SSB is smaller than the SCS ofCORESET and RMSI.

FIG. 7F is a time-frequency diagram showing an example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequency divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially center-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurewhere upper and lower portions of the CORESET are offset in frequencyfrom the SSB by G physical resource blocks (PRBs), where G is aninteger >1, and the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of SSB is smaller than theSCS of CORESET and RMSI;

FIG. 8A is a time-frequency diagram showing a first example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequency divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially left-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurewhere the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of SSB is larger than the SCS ofCORESET and RMSI.

FIG. 8B is a time-frequency diagram showing a second example of aCORESET time-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequencydivision multiplexed with a SSB and is substantially left-aligned infrequency with the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure where the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of SSB is larger than theSCS of CORESET and RMSI.

FIG. 8C is a time-frequency diagram showing a first example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequency divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially right-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurewhere the subcarrier.

FIG. 8D is a time-frequency diagram showing a second example of aCORESET time-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequencydivision multiplexed with a SSB and is substantially right-aligned infrequency with the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure where the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of SSB is larger than theSCS of CORESET and RMSI.

FIG. 8E is a time-frequency diagram showing an example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequency divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially center-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurewhere the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of SSB is larger than the SCS ofCORESET and RMSI;

FIG. 8F is a time-frequency diagram showing an example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequency divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially center-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurewhere upper and lower portions of the CORESET are offset in frequencyfrom the SSB by G physical resource blocks (PRBs), where G is an integer≥1, and the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of SSB is larger than the SCS ofCORESET and RMSI.

FIG. 9 is two sub-tables depicting two CORESET sub-configurationsrespectively, and associated indexes and configuration parameters inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is two sub-tables depicting two CORESET sub-configurations,respectively, and associated indexes and configuration parameters inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is three CORESET configuration sub-tables that include sets ofpossible values for the frequency size of the CORESET for different SCSof CORESET for a system operating below 6 GHz in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is two CORESET configuration sub-tables that include sets ofpossible values for the frequency size of the CORESET for different SCSof CORESET for a system operating above 6 GHz in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13A is a time-frequency diagram showing an example of CORESETtime-frequency configuration hopping in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure in which the CORESET is time division multiplexedwith a SSB.

FIG. 13B is a time-frequency diagram showing an example of CORESETtime-frequency configuration hopping in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure in which the CORESET is frequency divisionmultiplexed with a SSB.

FIG. 14 is an initial access call flow diagram of example operations ina communications system in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of example operations in a base station inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of examples operations in an ED in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of an example ED in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of an example base station in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

For illustrative purposes, specific example embodiments will now beexplained in greater detail below in conjunction with the figures.

The embodiments set forth herein represent information sufficient topractice the claimed subject matter and illustrate ways of practicingsuch subject matter. Upon reading the following description in light ofthe accompanying figures, those of skill in the art will understand theconcepts of the claimed subject matter and will recognize applicationsof these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should beunderstood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope ofthe disclosure and the accompanying claims.

Moreover, it will be appreciated that any module, component, or devicedisclosed herein that executes instructions may include or otherwisehave access to a non-transitory computer/processor readable storagemedium or media for storage of information, such as computer/processorreadable instructions, data structures, program modules, and/or otherdata. A non-exhaustive list of examples of non-transitorycomputer/processor readable storage media includes magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,optical disks such as compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digitalvideo discs or digital versatile discs (i.e. DVDs), Blu-ray Disc™, orother optical storage, volatile and non-volatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any method or technology,random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology. Any such non-transitory computer/processor storagemedia may be part of a device or accessible or connectable thereto.Computer/processor readable/executable instructions to implement anapplication or module described herein may be stored or otherwise heldby such non-transitory computer/processor readable storage media.

Aspects of this disclosure provide mechanisms for configuration of aninitial active bandwidth part for EDs to use when first accessing andregistering with a wireless radio access network (RAN). In particular,aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and devices toconfigure a CORESET for scheduling and delivering RMSI;

Turning now to the figures, some specific example embodiments will be

Communication System

FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication system 100 in whichembodiments of the present disclosure could be implemented. In general,the communication system 100 enables multiple wireless or wired elementsto communicate data and other content. The purpose of the communicationsystem 100 may be to provide content (voice, data, video, text) viabroadcast, multicast, unicast, user device to user device, etc. Thecommunication system 100 may operate by sharing resources such asbandwidth.

In this example, the communication system 100 includes electronicdevices (ED) 110 a-110 c, radio access networks (RANs) 120 a-120 b, acore network 130, a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 140, theinternet 150, and other networks 160. Although certain numbers of thesecomponents or elements are shown in FIG. 1, any reasonable number ofthese components or elements may be included in the communication system100.

The EDs 110 a-110 c are configured to operate, communicate, or both, inthe communication system 100. For example, the EDs 110 a-110 c areconfigured to transmit, receive, or both via wireless or wiredcommunication channels. Each ED 110 a-110 c represents any suitable enduser device for wireless operation and may include such devices (or maybe referred to) as a user equipment/device (UE), wirelesstransmit/receive unit (WTRU), mobile station, fixed or mobile subscriberunit, cellular telephone, station (STA), machine type communication(MTC) device, personal digital assistant (PDA), smartphone, laptop,computer, tablet, wireless sensor, or consumer electronics device.

In FIG. 1, the RANs 120 a-120 b include base stations 170 a-170 b,respectively. Each base station 170 a-170 b is configured to wirelesslyinterface with one or more of the EDs 110 a-110 c to enable access toany other base station 170 a-170 b, the core network 130, the PSTN 140,the internet 150 o, and/or the other networks 160. For example, the basestations 170 a-170 b may include (or be) one or more of severalwell-known devices, such as a base transceiver station (BTS), a Node-B(NodeB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a Home eNodeB, a gNodeB, atransmission and receive point (TRP), a site controller, an access point(AP), or a wireless router. Any ED 110 a-110 c may be alternatively oradditionally configured to interface, access, or communicate with anyother base station 170 a-170 b, the internet 150, the core network 130,the PSTN 140, the other networks 160, or any combination of thepreceding. The communication system 100 may include RANs, such as RAN120 b, wherein the corresponding base station 170 b accesses the corenetwork 130 via the internet 150, as shown.

The EDs 110 a-110 c and base stations 170 a-170 b are examples ofcommunication equipment that can be configured to implement some or allof the functionality and/or embodiments described herein. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, the base station 170 a forms part of the RAN120 a, which may include other base stations, base station controller(s)(BSC), radio network controller(s) (RNC), relay nodes, elements, and/ordevices. Any base station 170 a, 170 b may be a single element, asshown, or multiple elements, distributed in the corresponding RAN, orotherwise. Also, the base station 170 b forms part of the RAN 120 b,which may include other base stations, elements, and/or devices. Eachbase station 170 a-170 b transmits and/or receives wireless signalswithin a particular geographic region or area, sometimes referred to asa “cell” or “coverage area”. A cell may be further divided into cellsectors, and a base station 170 a-170 b may, for example, employmultiple transceivers to provide service to multiple sectors. In someembodiments there may be established pico or femto cells where the radioaccess technology supports such. In some embodiments, multipletransceivers could be used for each cell, for example usingmultiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology. The number of RAN 120a-120 b shown is exemplary only. Any number of RAN may be contemplatedwhen devising the communication system 100.

The base stations 170 a-170 b communicate with one or more of the EDs110 a-110 c over one or more air interfaces 190 using wirelesscommunication links e.g. radio frequency (RF), microwave, infrared (IR),etc. The air interfaces 190 may utilize any suitable radio accesstechnology. For example, the communication system 100 may implement oneor more orthogonal or non-orthogonal channel access methods, such ascode division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access(TOMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA(OFDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) in the air interfaces 190.

A base station 170 a-170 b may implement Universal MobileTelecommunication System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) toestablish an air interface 190 using wideband CDMA (WCDMA). In doing so,the base station 170 a-170 b may implement protocols such as HSPA, HSPA+optionally including HSDPA, HSUPA or both. Alternatively, a base station170 a-170 b may establish an air interface 190 with Evolved UTMSTerrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) using LTE, LTE-A, and/or LTE-B. It iscontemplated that the communication system 100 may use multiple channelaccess functionality, including such schemes as described above. Otherradio technologies for implementing air interfaces include IEEE 802.11,802.15, 802.16, CDMA2000, CDMA2000 1×, CDMA2000 EV-DO, IS-2000, IS-95,IS 856, GSM, EDGE, and GERAN. Of course, other multiple access schemesand wireless protocols may be utilized.

The RANs 120 a-120 b are in communication with the core network 130 toprovide the EDs 110 a-110 c with various services such as voice, data,and other services. The RANs 120 a-120 b and/or the core network 130 maybe in direct or indirect communication with one or more other RANs (notshown), which may or may not be directly served by core network 130, andmay or may not employ the same radio access technology as RAN 120 a, RAN120 b or both. The core network 130 may also serve as a gateway accessbetween (i) the RANs 120 a-120 b or EDs 110 a-110 c or both, and (ii)other networks (such as the PSTN 140, the internet 150, and the othernetworks 160). In addition, some or all of the EDs 110 a-110 c mayinclude functionality for communicating with different wireless networksover different wireless links using different wireless technologiesand/or protocols. Instead of wireless communication (or in additionthereto), the EDs may communicate via wired communication channels to aservice provider or switch (not shown), and to the internet 150. PSTN140 may include circuit switched telephone networks for providing plainold telephone service (POTS). Internet 150 may include a network ofcomputers and subnets (intranets) or both, and incorporate protocols,such as IP, TCP, UDP. EDs 110 a-110 c may be multimode devices capableof operation according to multiple radio access technologies, andincorporate multiple transceivers necessary to support such.

Initial Access

In some wireless communication systems, such as those operating inaccordance with the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 13Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard, before an ED is able to transmit orreceive ED-specific signaling or data to/from a wireless communicationsystem, an initial access process is used to synchronize and configurethe ED for communication with the system. During the initial accessprocess the ED receives system information, such as system bandwidth,which is used to configure the ED for communication with the system.

In the initial access process for 3GPP LTE, after initial cell searchand selection, an ED configures a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) toreceive a master information block (MIB) that includes downlinkbandwidth information and physical hybrid-automatic repeat requestindicator channel (PHICH) related information. After receiving MIB, theED configures a physical downlink shared channel (PDCSH) to receivesystem information blocks (SIBs). The SIBs include a system informationblock Type 1 (SIB1) that includes PLMN information, TAC, physical cellidentifier (ID) and scheduling information of other SIBs (SIB2, SIB3,SIB4, . . . ). The ED uses the scheduling information in SIB1 to receivethe other SIBs. For example, the ED uses the scheduling information inSIB1 to configure PDCSH to receive the SIB2, which includes commonchannel information, random access channel information, random accesspreamble information and hybrid-automatic repeat request (HARO)information. The ED may then use the system information in SIB2 toconfigure the random access channel (RACH) and common shared channel andinitiate uplink synchronization using a random access procedure.

In future wireless communication systems, such as the wirelesscommunication systems being contemplated in the development of the 5GNew Radio (NR) standard, some initial system information may beperiodically broadcast via a PBCH within one or more periodicallytransmitted synchronization signal block(s) (SSB(s)). For example, thecontent of the PBCH within the SSBs may include an NR-MIB that includes,amongst other initial system information, configuration information forremaining minimum system information (RMSI). The RMSI configurationinformation may define an RMSI control resource set (CORESET) having afrequency bandwidth within which RMSI and a physical downlink controlchannel (PDCCH) scheduling RMSI will be contained. After receiving theNR-MIB, the ED may configure PDCCH and PDCSH to receive the RMSI. Forexample, there may be an RMSI PDCCH monitoring window associated withthe periodically broadcast SSBs. For example, each window may have aduration of x consecutive slot(s) (e.g., x may be 1/2/4 or moreconsecutive slot(s)). The value of x may be frequency band dependent. Insome cases, x may be configured in PBCH. The period, y, of themonitoring window can be the same as or different from the period of theSSB/PBCH burst set. For example, the value of y may be 10/20/40/80/160or more milliseconds. In some cases, the value of y may be frequencyband dependent. In some cases, y may be configured in PBCH. In somecases, the value of y may be dependent on an RMSI transmit time interval(TTI). After an ED has received the CORESET configuration via PBCH, theED monitors, in accordance with the monitoring window, for PDCCHscheduling RMSI within the CORESET.

In the 3GPP work item for the 5G NR standard, it has been agreed thatthere is an initial active DL/UL bandwidth part (BWP) pair to be validfor a ED until the ED is explicitly (re)configured with bandwidthpart(s) during or after RRC connection is established as part of theinitial access procedure. A BWP consists of a specific number ofcontiguous physical resource blocks (PRBs) with a specific numerologyand at a specific frequency location. It has also been agreed that theinitial active DL BWP will have the same frequency location andbandwidth as the CORESET and the same numerology as RMSI, with PDCSHdelivering RMSI confined within the initial active DL BWP.

Accordingly, configuring the frequency location and bandwidth of CORESETvia PBCH within SSB(s) could also serve to define the initial active DLBWP valid for an ED during initial access. However, the broadcasting ofSSBs to configure CORESET represents resource overhead to the system,and therefore there is a need for efficient mechanisms to conveyconfiguration information for CORESET that provide a trade-off betweencomplexity, overhead and performance.

Coreset Configuration

Methods and devices are provided that address the above challengesassociated with configuration of the initial active DL BWP via CORESETconfiguration during initial access.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a CORESET time-frequency configuration table200 for configuring the initial active DL BWP via CORESET configurationduring initial access. The Example CORESET time-frequency configurationtable 200 shown in FIG. 2 includes nine columns corresponding to thefollowing properties: CORESET configuration index 202, CO RESETfrequency location 204, CORESET frequency size 206, CORESET resourceelement group (REG) bundle size 208, CORESET transmission type 210(e.g., interleaved or non-interleaved), CORESET starting symbol 212,CORESET time duration 214, CORESET monitoring window size 216, andCORESET monitoring period 218. Embodiments of the present disclosure mayinclude any combination of columns from this table.

For example, a time-frequency configuration for CORESET may include anyone or more of the following properties:

Bandwidth (defined in terms of physical resource blocks (PRBs) accordingto the RMSI numerology, which may be different from that of the SSBs.Also, RMSI and SSB may have different PRB grids, e.g., CORESET frequencysize 206),

Frequency location/position (frequency offset relative to SSB/PBCHblock, e.g., CORESET frequency location 204),

A set of OFDM symbol indices in a slot corresponding to a CORESET (e.g.starting symbol 212 and number of symbols 214),

CORESET transmission periodicity (e.g., CORESET monitoring period 218),

-   -   Note that this CORESET may also carry control scheduling for        other channels,

RMSItiming configuration (including CORESET monitoring window size 216).

In some embodiments, a time-frequency configuration of CORESET isindicated by an m-bit code in PBCH in conjunction with a pre-definedCORESET time-frequency configuration table, where the m-bit code is usedto signal an index (I) (e.g., CORESET configuration index 202) to a rowin the CORESET time-frequency configuration table.

In the CORESET time-frequency configuration table 200 shown in FIG. 2,the frequency location of the CORESET (i.e., CORESET frequency location204) is represented by an explicit offset to the lowest PRB of SSB. Inparticular, the offset is in terms of PRBs of RMSI numerology. In thisexample the granularity of the offset is at the PRB level, but moregenerally the granularity of the offset could be at PRB level, at theresource element group (REG) level, REG bundle level, or even larger. Asnoted above, because the PRB grid of SSB is not necessarily aligned withthe PRB grid of data (where RMSI is carried via PDSCH), the offset isinterpreted according to the data PRB grid of RMSI numerology.

In some cases, it may be possible to limit the number of bits that areneeded to signal the CORESET time-frequency configuration bypre-defining a subset of possible frequency locations for CORESET thatare defined by frequency alignment with respect to different frequencylocations of the SSB. For example, in one embodiment the set ofpredefined frequency location configurations may include at least oneof:

i) a first frequency location configuration wherein a frequency locationof the CORESET is substantially aligned with respect to a lowestfrequency location of the SSB;

ii) a second frequency location configuration wherein a frequencylocation of the CORESET is substantially aligned with respect to ahighest frequency location of the SSB; and

iii) a third frequency location configuration wherein a frequencylocation of the CORESET is substantially aligned with respect to acenter frequency location of the SSB.

In some embodiments, the CORESET time-frequency configurations that areincluded in the CORESET time-frequency configuration table may include afirst subset of the configurations defining the CORESET as being timedivision multiplexed (TOM) with the SSB and a second subset of theconfigurations define the CORESET as being frequency divisionmultiplexed (FDM) with the SSB.

FIG. 3A is a time-frequency diagram showing an example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is time divisionmultiplexed with an SSB 888 and is substantially left-aligned infrequency with the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

In particular, it is noted that in the example embodiment shown in FIG.3A the CORESET is configured such that the lowest physical resourceblock (PRB) 300 of the CORESET is the highest PRB among those whosesubcarrier 0 304 lies on or before the subcarrier 0 306 of the lowestPRB 302 of the SSB. A “subcarrier 0” as used herein refers to a firstsubcarrier of a given PRB, which may be, for example, a lowest numberedsubcarrier or a lowest frequency subcarrier of a set of subcarriers ofthe given PRB.

FIG. 3B is a time-frequency diagram showing an example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is time divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially right-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In particular, it is noted that in the example embodiment shown in FIG.3B the CORESET is configured such that the highest PRB 310 of theCORESET is the lowest PRB among those whose subcarrier 0 314 lies on orafter the subcarrier 0 316 of the highest PRB 312 of the SSB.

FIG. 3C is a time-frequency diagram showing a first example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is time divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially center-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In particular, it is noted that in the example embodiment shown in FIG.3C the CORESET is configured such that a center PRB 320 of the CORESETis the highest PRB among those whose subcarrier 0 324 lies on or beforethe subcarrier 0 326 of a center PRB 322 of the SSB. In the case of aCORESET and/or SSB with an even number of PRBs, the center PRB may beeither the lower of the two middle PRBs or the higher of the two middlePRBs.

FIG. 3D is a time-frequency diagram showing a second example of aCORESET time-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is timedivision multiplexed with a SSB and is substantially center-aligned infrequency with the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

In particular, it is noted that in the example embodiment shown in FIG.3D the CORESET is configured such that a center PRB 320 of the CORESETis the highest PRB among those whose subcarrier 0 324 lies on or afterthe subcarrier 0 326 of a center PRB 322 of the SSB.

As noted above, the numerology of CORESET (and RMSI itself) may bedifferent from the numerology of SSBs. For example, in some embodimentsthe numerology of CORESET and RMSI may differ from the numerology of SSBin terms of one or more numerology parameters, such as subcarrierspacing (SCS). By way of example, FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D aretime-frequency diagrams that depict frequency location alignmentsbetween SSB and CORESET corresponding to those shown in FIGS. 3A, 38, 3Cand 3D, but in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D the SCS of SSB is smaller thanthe SCS of CORESET and RMSI. For example, SSB may have a 15 KHz SCS andCORESET may have a 30 KHz SCS.

Similarly, FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D are time-frequency diagrams thatdepict frequency location alignments between SSB and CORESETcorresponding to those shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D, but in FIGS.5A, 5B 5C and 5D the SCS of SSB is larger than the SCS of CORESET andRMSI. For example, SSB may have a 30 KHz SCS and CORESET may have a 15KHz SCS.

In cases of mixed numerologies, such as FIGS. 4A, 4C, 4D, 5A, 5C, and5D, the frequency offset may be defined in a similar manner as thesingle numerology cases shown in FIGS. 3A, 3C, and 3D. Alternatively, asdepicted in FIGS. 4B and 5B, in other TOM mixed numerologies cases wherethe CORESET is substantially right-aligned with the SSB, the highest PRBof the CORESET is the highest PRB among those that have overlap withSSB.

FIG. 6A is a time-frequency diagram showing a first example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequency divisionmultiplexed with an SSB and is substantially left-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In particular, it is noted that in the example embodiment shown in FIG.6A the CORESET is configured such that the highest PRB 400 of theCORESET is separated from the lowest PRB 402 of the SSB by a guard 404comprising at least G PRB, where G=0. Note that the guard 404 betweenthe CORESET and the SSB in FIG. 6A may additionally comprise a fractionof a PRB due to a subcarrier offset between the PRB grids used for RMSIand SSB.

FIG. 6B is a time-frequency diagram showing a second example of aCORESET time-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequencydivision multiplexed with a SSB and is substantially left-aligned infrequency with the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

In particular, it is noted that in the example embodiment shown in FIG.6B 68 the CORESET is configured such that the highest PRB 410 of theCORESET is separated from the lowest PRB 412 of the SSB by a guard 414comprising at least G PRBs, where G=2. Note that in this example thetotal frequency offset between CORESET and the SSB provided by the guard414 includes the two guard PRBs (PRBs according to the RMSI numerology)and the additional offset due to a difference between the PRB grids usedfor RMSI and SSB.

FIG. 6C is a time-frequency diagram showing a first example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequency divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially right-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In particular, it is noted that in the example embodiment shown in FIG.6C the CORESET is configured such that the lowest PRB 420 of the CORESETis separated from the highest PRB 422 of the SSB by a guard 424comprising at least G PRBs, where G=0. Here again the guard 424 betweenthe CORESET and the SSB in FIG. 6C may additionally comprise a fractionof a PRB due to a subcarrier offset between the PRB grids used for RMSIand SSB.

FIG. 6D is a time-frequency diagram showing a second example of aCORESET time-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequencydivision multiplexed with a SSB and is substantially right-aligned infrequency with the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

In particular, it is noted that in the example embodiment shown in FIG.6D the CORESET is configured such that the lowest PRB 430 of the CORESETis separated from the highest PRB 432 of the SSB by a guard 434comprising at least G PRBs, where G=2. Similar to the left-aligned FOMexample shown in FIG. 6B, in this example the total frequency offsetbetween CORESET and the SSB provided by the guard 434 includes the twoguard PRBs (PRBs according to the RMSI 25 numerology) and the additionaloffset due to a difference between the PRB grids used for RMSI and SSB.

FIG. 6E is a time-frequency diagram showing an example of a CORESETtime-frequency configuration in which the CORESET is frequency divisionmultiplexed with a SSB and is substantially center-aligned in frequencywith the SSB in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In particular, it is noted that in the example embodiment shown in FIG.6E the CORESET is configured such that the CORESET includes twosubstantially equal sized portions 440A, 440B separated in frequency bythe SSB with the center frequency location 442 of the SSB beingsubstantially midway between the two portions of the CORESET. Morespecifically, in the illustrated example the highest PRB 444 of thelower one of the two portions of the CORESET is the highest PRB amongthose whose subcarriers all lie before the lowest PRB 446 of the SSB andthe lowest PRB 448 of the upper one of the two portions of the CORESETis the lowest PRB among those whose subcarriers all lie after thehighest PRB 450 of the SSB. In some embodiments, the upper and lowerportions of the CORESET may be offset in frequency from the SSB by G PRB(PRB according to the RMSI numerology), where G is an integer >1. Anexample of such an embodiment is shown in FIG. 6F.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E and 7F are time-frequency diagrams that depictfrequency location alignments between SSB and CORESET corresponding tothose shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E and 6F, but in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C,7D, 7E and 7F the SCS of SSB is smaller than the SCS of CORESET andRMSI. For example, SSB may have a 15 KHz SCS and CORESET may have a 30KHz SCS. Similarly, FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E and 8F are time-frequencydiagrams that depict frequency location alignments between SSB 888 andCORESET corresponding to those shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E and 6F,but in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E and 7F the SCS of SSB is larger than theSCS of CORESET and RMSI. For example, SSB may have a 30 KHz SCS andCORESET may have a 15 KHz SCS. Similarly to the single numerology casesshown in FIGS. 6A-6F, where the guard PRB are of RMSI numerology, inmixed numerologies cases, such as in FIGS. 7A-7F and 8A-8F, the guardPRB may also be of RMSI numerology.

In some embodiments, rather than using one CORESET time-frequencyconfiguration table, multiple sub-tables may be used for configurationof the CORESET. For example, in some embodiments, a first subset of theconfiguration parameters defining the time-frequency configuration ofCORESET may be indicated by an m1-bit code in PBCH in conjunction with afirst pre-defined CORESET configuration sub-table, where the m1-bit codeis used to signal an index (I) to a row in the first CORESETconfiguration sub-table, and a second subset of the configurationparameters defining the time-frequency configuration of CORESET may beindicated by an m2-bit code in PBCH in conjunction with a secondpre-defined CORESET configuration sub-table, where the m2-bit code isused to signal an index (J) to a row in the second CORESET configurationsub-table. Such embodiments are potentially advantageous because theyallow the two subsets of configuration parameters to be independentlysignaled using m1 bits to signal index I and m2 bits to signal index J(m1+m2=m) For example, in some embodiments the first CORESETconfiguration sub-table may include frequency configuration parameters,and thus may be considered a CORESET frequency configuration table,while the second CORESET configuration sub-table may include timeconfiguration parameters, and thus may be considered an RMSI timeconfiguration table. FIG. 9 includes two sub-tables depicting CORESETfrequency configurations and CORESET time configurations, respectively,and associated indexes and configuration parameters in accordance withsuch an embodiment. In other embodiments, one or more of the CORESETconfiguration sub-tables may include time and frequency configurationparameters. For example, FIG. 10 includes two CORESET configurationsub-tables, where a first sub-table includes CORESET-SSB relativetime-frequency location configurations and associated indexes andconfiguration parameters, and a second sub-table includes CORESETtime-frequency configurations and associated indexes and configurationparameters.

In some embodiments, the configuration of CORESET or initial active DLBWP may depend on the SCS of CORESET. For example, the frequency size ofthe CORESET in terms of number of PRBs can depend on the SCS of CORESET.As an example, FIG. 11 shows sets of possible values for the frequencysize of the CORESET for different SCS of CORESET for a system operatingbelow 6 GHz. FIG. 12 shows sets of possible values for the frequencysize of the CORESET for different SCS of CORESET for a system operatingabove 6 GHz. For each SCS, a subset of two or more values from the setof possible values are used for the frequency size of CORESET in theCORESET configuration table or sub-table.

It should be noted that some or all of the values of the exampleparameters shown in the tables depicted in FIGS. 2, 9 and 10 may dependon the operating frequency range/band (e.g. different values may be usedfor the given parameters for operation below and above 6 GHz).

It should also be noted that some of values of the example parametersshown in the tables depicted in FIGS. 2, 9 and 10 may be predefined. Forexample, CORESET REG bundle size and/or CORESET transmission type can bepredefined.

In some embodiments, the CORESET time-frequency configuration may behopped among different CORESET time-frequency configurations accordingto a predefined CORESET hopping pattern and periodicity such that theCORESET configuration is hopped among at least a subset of the possibleCORESET configurations. Such CORESET configuration hopping may bebeneficial in terms of providing PDCCH diversity. The hoppingperiodicity may be predefined or it may be configurable (e.g., signaledexplicitly).

In some embodiments, the CORESET hopping periodicity is equal to the SSBburst set periodicity. FIGS. 13A and 13B are time-frequency diagramsshowing examples of CORESET time-frequency configuration hopping inaccordance with such an embodiment where the CORESET is time divisionmultiplexed with a SSB (FIG. 13A) and frequency division multiplexedwith a SSB (FIG. 13B). In particular, in both FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B theCORESET time-frequency configuration is hopped from a firsttime-frequency configuration (CORESET configuration 1) for a first SSBburst set (including n SSB) to a second time-frequency configuration(CORESET configuration 2) for the next SSB burst set.

In some embodiments, the plurality of CORESET configurations arepartitioned into multiple subsets and the CORESET configuration ishopped among CORESET configurations within a given subset. For example,the subsets may include a first subset of TOM based configurations thatdefine the CORESET as being time division multiplexed with the SSB(e.g., see FIG. 13A), and a second subset of FDM based configurationsthat define the CORESET as being frequency division multiplexed with theSSB (e.g., see FIG. 13B).

FIG. 14 is an initial access call flow diagram of example operations 500in a communications system in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

The initial access operations begin at 502 when an ED is powered on andbegins monitoring for a SSB.

At 504, a base station broadcasts a SSB that includes informationindicating a CORESET configuration index. The CORESET configurationindex is one of a plurality of CORESET configuration indexes, eachCORESET configuration index being associated with a respectiveconfiguration of a CORESET. Each configuration includes a frequencylocation configuration of the CORESET selected from a set of predefinedfrequency location configurations defined with respect to the SSB. Theset of predefined frequency location configurations may consist of thefirst, second and third frequency location configurations discussedearlier.

At 506, the ED receives the information indicating the CORESETconfiguration index as part of the SSB and configures, in accordancewith the frequency location configuration corresponding to the CORESETconfiguration index indicated by the received information, an initialactive downlink bandwidth part for receiving downlink transmissions.

At 508, the base station transmits, as part of a PDCCH within theCORESET configured in accordance with the CORESET configuration index,information indicating scheduling of RMSI in a PDSCH.

At 510, the ED receives the information indicating the scheduling ofRMSI in the PDCSH.

At 512, the base station transmits RMSI in the PDCSH according to thescheduling.

At 514, the ED receives the RMSI in the PDCSH and used the RMSI toconfigure itself for communication with the system and complete itsinitial access procedure.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of example operations 600 in a base station inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure

In block 602, the base station broadcasts, as part of a SSB, informationindicating a CORESET configuration index, the CORESET configurationindex is one of a plurality of CORESET configuration indexes, eachCORESET configuration index being associated with a respectiveconfiguration of a CORESET, each configuration includes a frequencylocation configuration of the CORESET selected from a set of predefinedfrequency location configurations defined with respect to the SSB. Theset of predefined frequency location configurations may consist of thefirst, second and third frequency location configurations discussedearlier.

Optionally, in block 604, the base station transmits, as part of a PDCCHwithin the CORESET configured in accordance with the CORESETconfiguration index, information indicating scheduling of RMSI in aPDCSH.

The example operations 600 are illustrative of an example embodiment.Various ways to perform the illustrated operations, as well as examplesof other operations that may be performed, are described herein. Furthervariations may be or become apparent.

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of examples operations 700 in an electronicdevice in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In block 702, the electronic device receives, as part of a SSB,information indicating a CORESET configuration index, the CORESETconfiguration index being one of a plurality of CORESET configurationindexes, each CORESET configuration index being associated with arespective configuration of a CORESET, each configuration comprising afrequency location configuration of the CORESET selected from a set ofpredefined frequency location configurations defined with respect to theSSB. The set of predefined frequency location configurations may consistof the first, second and third frequency location configurationsdiscussed earlier.

In block 704, the electronic device configures, in accordance with thefrequency location configuration corresponding to the CORESETconfiguration index indicated by the received information, an initialactive downlink bandwidth part for receiving downlink transmissions fromthe wireless communication network.

The example operations 700 are illustrative of an example embodiment.Various ways to perform the illustrated operations, as well as examplesof other operations that may be performed, are described herein. Furthervariations may be or become apparent.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate example devices that may implement themethods and teachings according to this disclosure. In particular, FIG.17 illustrates an example ED 110, and FIG. 18 illustrates an examplebase station 1370. These components could be used in the communicationsystem 100 shown in FIG. 1 or in any other suitable system.

As shown in FIG. 17, the ED 1310 includes at least one processing unit1400. The processing unit 1400 implements various processing operationsof the ED 1310. For example, the processing unit 1400 could performsignal coding, data processing, power control, input/output processing,or any other functionality enabling the ED 1310 to operate in thecommunication system 100. The processing unit 1400 may also beconfigured to implement some or all of the functionality and/orembodiments described in more detail above. Each processing unit 200includes any suitable processing or computing device configured toperform one or more operations. Each processing unit 1400 could, forexample, include a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signalprocessor, field programmable gate array, or application specificintegrated circuit.

The ED 1310 also includes at least one transceiver 1402. The transceiver1402 is configured to modulate data or other content for transmission byat least one antenna or Network Interface Controller (NIC) 1404. Thetransceiver 1402 is also configured to demodulate data or other contentreceived by the at least one antenna 1404. Each transceiver 1402includes any suitable structure for generating signals for wireless orwired transmission and/or processing signals received wirelessly or bywire. Each antenna 1404 includes any suitable structure for transmittingand/or receiving wireless or wired signals. One or multiple transceivers1402 could be used in the ED 1310. One or multiple antennas 1404 couldbe used in the ED 1310. Although shown as a single functional unit, atransceiver 1402 could also be implemented using at least onetransmitter and at least one separate receiver.

The ED 1310 further includes one or more input/output devices 1406 orinterfaces (such as a wired interface to the internet 150). Theinput/output devices 1406 permit interaction with a user or otherdevices in the network. Each input/output device 1406 includes anysuitable structure for providing information to or receiving informationfrom a user, such as a speaker, microphone, keypad, keyboard, display,or touch screen, including network interface communications.

In addition, the ED 1310 includes at least one memory 1408. The memory1408 stores instructions and data used, generated, or collected by theED 1310. For example, the memory 1408 could store software instructionsor modules configured to implement some or all of the functionalityand/or embodiments described above and that are executed by theprocessing unit(s) 1400. Each memory 1408 includes any suitable volatileand/or non-volatile storage and retrieval device(s). Any suitable typeof memory may be used, such as random access memory (RAM), read onlymemory (ROM), hard disk, optical disc, subscriber identity module (SIM)card, memory stick, secure digital (SD) memory card, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 18, the base station 1370 includes at least oneprocessing unit 1450, at least one transmitter 1452, at least onereceiver 1454, one or more antennas 1456, at least one memory 1458, andone or more input/output devices or interfaces 1466. A transceiver, notshown, may be used instead of the transmitter 1452 and receiver 1454. Ascheduler 1453 may be coupled to the processing unit 1450. The scheduler1453 may be included within or operated separately from the base station1370. The processing unit 1450 implements various processing operationsof the base station 1370, such as signal coding, data processing, powercontrol, input/output processing, or any other functionality. Theprocessing unit 1450 can also be configured to implement some or all ofthe functionality and/or embodiments described in more detail above.Each processing unit 1450 includes any suitable processing or computingdevice configured to perform one or more operations. Each processingunit 1450 could, for example, include a microprocessor, microcontroller,digital signal processor, field programmable gate array, or applicationspecific integrated circuit.

Each transmitter 1452 includes any suitable structure for generatingsignals for wireless or wired transmission to one or more EDs or otherdevices. Each receiver 1454 includes any suitable structure forprocessing signals received wirelessly or by wire from one or more EDsor other devices. Although shown as separate components, at least onetransmitter 1452 and at least one receiver 1454 could be combined into atransceiver. Each antenna 1456 includes any suitable structure fortransmitting and/or receiving wireless or wired signals. Although acommon antenna 1456 is shown here as being coupled to both thetransmitter 1452 and the receiver 1454, one or more antennas 1456 couldbe coupled to the transmitter(s) 1452, and one or more separate antennas1456 could be coupled to the receiver(s) 1454. Each memory 1458 includesany suitable volatile and/or non-volatile storage and retrievaldevice(s) such as those described above in connection to the ED 1310.The memory 1458 stores instructions and data used, generated, orcollected by the base station 1370. For example, the memory 1458 couldstore software instructions or modules configured to implement some orall of the functionality and/or embodiments described above and that areexecuted by the processing unit(s) 1450.

Each input/output device 1466 permits interaction with a user or otherdevices in the network. Each input/output device 1466 includes anysuitable structure for providing information to or receiving/providinginformation from a user, including network interface communications.

It should be appreciated that one or more steps of the embodimentmethods provided herein may be performed by corresponding units ormodules. For example, a signal may be transmitted by a transmitting unitor a transmitting module. A signal may be received by a receiving unitor a receiving module. A signal may be processed by a processing unit ora processing module. The respective units/modules may be hardware,software, or a combination thereof. For instance, one or more of theunits/modules may be an integrated circuit, such as field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs) or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).It will be appreciated that where the modules are software, they may beretrieved by a processor, in whole or part as needed, individually ortogether for processing, in single or multiple instances as required,and that the modules themselves may include instructions for furtherdeployment and instantiation.

Additional details regarding EDs and base stations are known to those ofskill in the art. As such, these details are omitted here for clarity.

In the preceding description, for purposes of explanation, numerousdetails are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the artthat these specific details are not required. In other instances,well-known electrical structures and circuits are shown in block diagramform in order not to obscure the understanding. For example, specificdetails are not provided as to whether the embodiments described hereinare implemented as a software routine, hardware circuit, firmware, or acombination thereof.

Embodiments of the disclosure can be represented as a computer programproduct stored in a machine-readable medium (also referred to as acomputer-readable medium, a processor-readable medium, or a computerusable medium having a computer-readable program code embodied therein).The machine-readable medium can be any suitable tangible, non-transitorymedium, including magnetic, optical, or electrical storage mediumincluding a diskette, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), memorydevice (volatile or non-volatile), or similar storage mechanism. Themachine-readable medium can contain various sets of instructions, codesequences, configuration information, or other data, which, whenexecuted, cause a processor to perform steps in a method according to anembodiment of the disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that other instructions and operations necessary to implementthe described implementations can also be stored on the machine-readablemedium. The instructions stored on the machine-readable medium can beexecuted by a processor or other suitable processing device, and caninterface with circuitry to perform the described tasks.

The contents of the drawings are intended solely for illustrativepurposes, and the present invention is in no way limited to theparticular example embodiments explicitly shown in the drawings anddescribed herein. For example, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of acommunication system in which embodiments may be implemented. Otherembodiments could be implemented in communication systems that includemore network elements than shown, or that have different topologies thanthe example shown. Similarly, the examples in the other figures are alsointended solely for illustrative purposes.

Other implementation details could also vary between differentembodiments. For example, some of the examples above refer to NR and LTEterminology. However, the embodiments disclosed herein are not in anyway limited to NR or LTE systems.

In addition, although described primarily in the context of methods andsystems, other implementations are also contemplated, as instructionsstored on a non-transitory processor-readable medium, for example. Theinstructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one ormore processors to perform a method.

The above-described embodiments are intended to be examples only.Alterations, modifications and variations can be effected to theparticular embodiments by those of skill in the art. The scope of theclaims should not be limited by the particular embodiments set forthherein, but should be construed in a manner consistent with thespecification as a whole.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for a base station in a wirelesscommunication network, the method comprising: broadcasting, as part of asynchronization signal block (SSB), a control resource set (CORESET)configuration index, the CORESET configuration index being one of aplurality of CORESET configuration indexes, each CORESET configurationindex being associated with a respective configuration of a CORESET,each configuration comprising: a CORESET frequency size, a CORESET timeduration, and a frequency offset of the CORESET with respect to the SSB,the frequency offset selected from a set of predefined frequencyoffsets, the set of predefined frequency offsets comprising at least oneof: a first frequency offset wherein a lowest physical resource block(PRB) of the CORESET is a highest PRB whose subcarrier 0 lies on orbefore a subcarrier 0 of a lowest PRB of the SSB, a second frequencyoffset wherein a highest PRB of the CORESET is a lowest PRB whosesubcarrier 0 lies on or after a subcarrier 0 of a highest PRB of theSSB, a third frequency offset wherein a center PRB of the CORESET is ahighest PRB whose subcarrier 0 lies on or before a subcarrier 0 of acenter PRB of the SSB, a fourth frequency offset wherein the highest PRBof the CORESET is separated from the lowest PRB of the SSB by a firstguard, the first guard comprising at least G₁ PRBs having a subcarrierspacing for a remaining minimum system information (RMSI) transmission,where G₁ is an integer >0, or a fifth frequency offset wherein thelowest PRB of the CORESET is separated from the highest PRB of the SSBby a second guard, the second guard comprising at least G₂ PRBs havingthe subcarrier spacing for the RMSI transmission, where G₂ is aninteger >0.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein a value of the frequencyoffset is a number PRBs of a PRB grid, the PRB grid having a subcarrierspacing for the RMSI transmission.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein theCORESET configuration associated with the CORESET configuration index isbased on a subcarrier spacing of the CORESET.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the CORESET configuration associated with the CORESETconfiguration index is based on an operating frequency range of thewireless communication network.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein theCORESET configuration index is for indicating a first CORESETsub-configuration, the method further comprising: broadcasting, as partof the SSB, a second CORESET configuration index, the second CORESETconfiguration index for indicating a second CORESET sub-configuration,each second sub-configuration comprising a time configuration of theCORESET.
 6. A method for an electronic device (ED) in a wirelesscommunication network, the method comprising: receiving, as part of asynchronization signal block (SSB), a control resource set (CORESET)configuration index, the CORESET configuration index being one of aplurality of CORESET configuration indexes, each CORESET configurationindex being associated with a respective configuration of a CORESET,each configuration comprising: a CORESET frequency size, a CORESET timeduration, and a frequency offset of the CORESET with respect to the SSB,the frequency offset selected from a set of predefined frequencyoffsets, the set of predefined frequency offsets comprising at least oneof: a first frequency offset wherein a lowest physical resource block(PRB) of the CORESET is a highest PRB whose subcarrier 0 lies on orbefore a subcarrier 0 of a lowest PRB of the SSB, a second frequencyoffset wherein a highest PRB of the CORESET is a lowest PRB whosesubcarrier 0 lies on or after a subcarrier 0 of a highest PRB of theSSB, a third frequency offset wherein a center PRB of the CORESET is ahighest PRB whose subcarrier 0 lies on or before a subcarrier 0 of acenter PRB of the SSB, a fourth frequency offset wherein the highest PRBof the CORESET is separated from the lowest PRB of the SSB by a firstguard, the first guard comprising at least G₁ PRBs having a subcarrierspacing for a remaining minimum system information (RMSI) transmission,where G₁ is an integer >0, or a fifth frequency offset wherein thelowest PRB of the CORESET is separated from the highest PRB of the SSBby a second guard, the second guard comprising at least G₂ PRBs havingthe subcarrier spacing for the RMSI transmission, where G₂ is aninteger >0; and configuring, in accordance with the CORESETconfiguration associated with the CORESET configuration index, aninitial active downlink bandwidth part for receiving downlinktransmissions from the wireless communication network.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein a value of the frequency offset is a number PRBs of aPRB grid, the PRB grid having a subcarrier spacing for the RMSItransmission.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the CORESETconfiguration associated with the CORESET configuration index is basedon a subcarrier spacing of the CORESET.
 9. The method of claim 6,wherein the CORESET configuration associated with the CORESETconfiguration index is based on an operating frequency range of thewireless communication network.
 10. The method of claim 6, wherein theCORESET configuration index is for indicating a first CORESETsub-configuration, the method further comprising: receiving, as part ofthe SSB, a second CORESET configuration index, the second CORESETconfiguration index for indicating a second CORESET sub-configuration,each second sub-configuration comprising a time configuration of theCORESET.
 11. A base station in a wireless communication network, thebase station comprising: a memory storage comprising instructions; andone or more processors in communication with the memory storage, whereinthe one or more processors execute the instructions to: broadcast, aspart of a synchronization signal block (SSB), a control resource set(CORESET) configuration index, the CORESET configuration index being oneof a plurality of CORESET configuration indexes, each CORESETconfiguration index being associated with a respective configuration ofa CORESET, each configuration comprising: a CORESET frequency size, aCORESET time duration, and a frequency offset of the CORESET withrespect to the SSB, the frequency offset selected from a set ofpredefined frequency offsets, the set of predefined frequency offsetscomprising at least one of: a first frequency offset wherein a lowestphysical resource block (PRB) of the CORESET is a highest PRB whosesubcarrier 0 lies on or before a subcarrier 0 of a lowest PRB of theSSB, a second frequency offset wherein a highest PRB of the CORESET is alowest PRB whose subcarrier 0 lies on or after a subcarrier 0 of ahighest PRB of the SSB, a third frequency offset wherein a center PRB ofthe CORESET is a highest PRB whose subcarrier 0 lies on or before asubcarrier 0 of a center PRB of the SSB, a fourth frequency offsetwherein the highest PRB of the CORESET is separated from the lowest PRBof the SSB by a first guard, the first guard comprising at least G₁ PRBshaving a subcarrier spacing for a remaining minimum system information(RMSI) transmission, where G₁ is an integer >0, or a fifth frequencyoffset wherein the lowest PRB of the CORESET is separated from thehighest PRB of the SSB by a second guard, the second guard comprising atleast G₂ PRBs having the subcarrier spacing for the RMSI transmission,where G₂ is an integer >0.
 12. The base station of claim 11, wherein avalue of the frequency offset is a number PRBs of a PRB grid, the PRBgrid having a subcarrier spacing for the RMSI transmission.
 13. The basestation of claim 11, wherein the CORESET configuration associated withthe CORESET configuration index is based on a subcarrier spacing of theCORESET.
 14. The base station of claim 11, wherein the CORESETconfiguration associated with the CORESET configuration index is basedon an operating frequency range of the wireless communication network.15. The base station of claim 11, wherein the CORESET configurationindex is for indicating a first CORESET sub-configuration, and the oneor more processors further execute the instructions to: broadcast, aspart of the SSB, a second CORESET configuration index, the secondCORESET configuration index for indicating a second CORESETsub-configuration, each second sub-configuration comprising a timeconfiguration of the CORESET.
 16. An electronic device (ED) in awireless communication network, the ED comprising: a memory storagecomprising instructions; and one or more processors in communicationwith the memory storage, wherein the one or more processors execute theinstructions to: receive, as part of a synchronization signal block(SSB), a control resource set (CORESET) configuration index, the CORESETconfiguration index being one of a plurality of CORESET configurationindexes, each CORESET configuration index being associated with arespective configuration of a CORESET, each configuration comprising: aCORESET frequency size, a CORESET time duration, and a frequency offsetof the CORESET with respect to the SSB, the frequency offset selectedfrom a set of predefined frequency offsets, the set of predefinedfrequency offsets comprising at least one of: a first frequency offsetwherein a lowest physical resource block (PRB) of the CORESET is ahighest PRB whose subcarrier 0 lies on or before a subcarrier 0 of alowest PRB of the SSB, a second frequency offset wherein a highest PRBof the CORESET is a lowest PRB whose subcarrier 0 lies on or after asubcarrier 0 of a highest PRB of the SSB, a third frequency offsetwherein a center PRB of the CORESET is a highest PRB whose subcarrier 0lies on or before a subcarrier 0 of a center PRB of the SSB, a fourthfrequency offset wherein the highest PRB of the CORESET is separatedfrom the lowest PRB of the SSB by a first guard, the first guardcomprising at least G₁ PRBs having a subcarrier spacing for a remainingminimum system information (RMSI) transmission, where G₁ is aninteger >0, or a fifth frequency offset wherein the lowest PRB of theCORESET is separated from the highest PRB of the SSB by a second guard,the second guard comprising at least G₂ PRBs having the subcarrierspacing for the RMSI transmission, where G₂ is an integer >0; andconfigure, in accordance with the CORESET configuration associated withthe CORESET configuration index, an initial active downlink bandwidthpart for receiving downlink transmissions from the wirelesscommunication network.
 17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein avalue of the frequency offset is a number PRBs of a PRB grid, the PRBgrid having a subcarrier spacing for the RMSI transmission.
 18. Theelectronic device of claim 16, wherein the CORESET configurationassociated with the CORESET configuration index is based on a subcarrierspacing of the CORESET.
 19. The electronic device of claim 16, whereinthe CORESET configuration associated with the CORESET configurationindex is based on an operating frequency range of the wirelesscommunication network.
 20. The electronic device of claim 16, whereinthe CORESET configuration index is for indicating a first CORESETsub-configuration, and the one or more processors further execute theinstructions to: receive, as part of the SSB, a second CORESETconfiguration index, the second CORESET configuration index forindicating a second CORESET sub-configuration, each secondsub-configuration comprising a time configuration of the CORESET.